So in working on our plans for the trip I admit I am a bit overwhelmed! I know what I would like to do however my dad either has some limitations or the expense is a bit more. Its a hard balance to find. I did purchase him 2 of the cruising alaska guidebooks for him to look over! I think I did talk him into a flight plane ride in Misty Fjords!

I think he would enjoy the Lumberjack show though! I will let you know if we decide on that!

Yes Alaska is EXPENSIVE as far as excursions go - which is why we are gonig to do the 'limited budget' excursion in Ketchicans - just not sure of the saxman villiage. Trying to get some feedback on it - or just the show itself. We will do the helitreck (walking on glacier trek) in Juneau and I believe the dog sledding in Skagway (both expensive tours). In Sitka, I think we are going to do the salmon hatchery thing - trying to get feedback on it too. I also have a alaska travel book, but until you do it ----- you can read read read, you know? Enjoy planning!!!!!

Just my experience, but I loved just walking around in Sitka. Very safe and the cheapest "tour" possible. DH rented a bicycle and did his own tour also.
I've also done the Saxman Village, which I enjoyed. Low key, but I like experiencing some of the culture and history of a culture that is part of US, but so different. And I loved going to watch them carve totem poles, which they still do there. FYI, years ago, a Saxman chief was very smart. He had their village declared a United States town. At the time all that meant was taking care of their own streets and schools. (NO clue what it means now!) ANyway, that allowed them to preserve their culture to an extent that most Native American tribes could not. When we left the village, they gave each of us some glass beads...what we traded to other tribes a long time ago. I still have mine.
Marty

Hi Cheryl,
We did the combo tour in Ketchikan, and really enjoyed both. At Saxman village, you get to see them actually carving a totum pole. There are a lot of original poles to see, and a native dancers to see. I thought it was worth both to do the combo. Ketchikan was my family's favorite spot They want to go back and just stay there..

Don't miss the lumberjack show. We have seen it twice and really enjoy it.